Ritual

Three estranged friends reunite for a hiking trip in the Swedish wilderness to fulfill a pact they made years earlier. What begins as a journey of reconciliation quickly devolves into a harrowing ordeal when they become lost and stumble upon an ancient, sinister presence in the forest. Pursued by a terrifying entity and haunted by their own fractured relationships, they must confront their past and fight for survival against a malevolent force rooted in pagan myth.

Ritual received mixed to negative reviews from critics. While some praised its atmospheric tension and the disturbing folklore elements, many found the plot predictable, the pacing uneven, and the scares uninspired. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some appreciating the folk horror aspect and others disappointed by the execution.

• Attempts to blend psychological drama with folk horror but ultimately falls short.

• Relies heavily on jump scares and predictable tropes, failing to build genuine dread.

• The atmospheric setting and interesting folklore are undermined by a weak narrative and underdeveloped characters.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate a split reaction, with some enjoying the eerie atmosphere and creature design, while many others found the story to be derivative and unsatisfying, citing a lack of originality and effective scares.

The film's mythological basis draws inspiration from Scandinavian folklore, particularly the concept of the 'Huldra' or 'Skogsrå', a forest spirit often depicted as a beautiful woman with an animal's tail and a hollow back.